FAQ's
Frequently asked questions about me, my business, my tattoos, or tattoos in general!
Shop FAQ
Where are you located?
I am located at Mostly Harmless Tattoos in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The address is:
8632 S Market Place
Oak Creek, WI 53154
I also occasionally travel to do guest spots at tattoo shops in other states, and to tattoo at conventions around the country.
Where can I park?
The studio is located in the middle of the Oak Creek Marketplace Village, and is near the center of the village, in a bright teal building. There is parking on all 4 sides of the Marketplace, but I recommend parking on the Chicago (HWY 32) side, along the residential garages. You can also park on the Puetz Road side. These are the two parking areas that are easiest to access the studio from. Look for purple and black signs pointing you int he right direction!
What is your shop minimum/pricing?
The shop minimum is $100- this would include very small, simple tattoos that take 45-ish minutes or less.
My base hourly rate is $100/hour. Usually I charge by the piece, based on how long I expect a tattoo should take. If the tattoo takes longer than my estimate, I will NOT charge you more!
Is your shop reputable?
I am certified in bloodborne pathogen prevention, and we renew our certifications once a year. I have been a licensed tattoo artist in the state of WI since 2020, and in the state of Minnesota since 2022. Everything used in the tattoo process is single-use and disposable, and the shop is deep-cleaned on a regular basis with hospital-grade disinfectant.
Is your shop accessible?
The shop is adaptable! The tattoo space itself is in the basement, but if anyone has specific mobility needs, we can set up a tattoo station on the ground level to accommodate!
Do you also pierce?
I am not a piercer. However, Aimee of True Gold Piercing at Pewaukee Tattoo in Pewaukee is incredible!!
Do you accept card/PayPal/Venmo?
Cash is always preferred. I am able to process credit and debit cards with extra processing fees. But I'm happy to process payments however is easiest for you. If Venmo is your only option, we can do that as well.
Is your shop LGBTQ+ Safe?
Yes! Our shop proudly flies a pride flag year-round- that's how lots of people identify us! Every person who works here is either queer or an ally. I personally am registered as a Trans-Friendly business owner with TransFriend.ly! You can check out my profile here.
Is your shop sensory friendly?
We try to be as sensory-friendly as possible! I am neurodivergent myself, so I try to be extra diligent about this. My station is in a secluded room, and I'm able to set up room dividers for privacy. I am always happy to do silent appointments with my clients, and often encourage people to bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones if I know noise can be overwhelming for them. I do also have some sensory toys and stress balls, and I am ALWAYS a huge advocate for taking as many breaks as you need! I do not stock numbing cream, but I do offer Lidocaine spray to make my clients as comfortable as possible.
Do you offer military/teacher/industry discounts?
At this time our shop policy does not include any discounts. However, I am always happy to work within clients' budgets, and I also offer gift certificates!
Tattoo FAQ
Do you use numbing cream?
I do not- just because numbing cream generally has to be applied 2-ish hours before an appointment. I have never personally used it, so I cannot provide any specific recommendations. But I don't generally mind if clients use it!
I do, however, offer clients Bactine lidocaine spray during the tattoo process. Unfortunately it's only effective once the skin is already open, but it does take the edge off!
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I do also have numbing cream available for purchase in the retail area of Mostly Harmless.
Why can't I request an appointment via IG/FB DM's?
I am just one person, and I am unfortunately human. I am also a human with severe ADHD and I struggle to keep track of things. If I have requests and reference images in multiple places, it causes me to lose things and misplace information, and I don't like letting my clients down in that way.
Do you use vegan products?
99% of the products I use are vegan, inks included. I can provide ingredient lists for any of my products upon request.
Do you use Saniderm?
I use DermShield, which is a brand of second skin bandage very similar to Saniderm! It works exactly the same way. I do have some clients who have inflammatory reactions to DermShield, so I do usually stock Saniderm also. If a client prefers neither, I can also wrap you up the old-school way!
When will I see my custom drawing?
As a general rule, I do not send/show clients their design until the day of their appointment. There are many reasons for this:
-Without an appointment or deposit, artists are essentially working for hours on a drawing for free. Most of us do not have the time or financial stability to work for free.
-Artists need to draw multiple custom designs per day, and they are done in order of appointments.
-Clients can (and have) taken the design to another artist "who can do it cheaper", stealing artists' work
-When a design is sent far ahead of the appointment, friends and family who often have minimal knowledge of tattooing want to weigh in with their opinions until the client no longer likes the idea, or changes their mind completely, causing the artist to spend several more hours drawing for free.
What if I need a touch-up?
It's not uncommon for tattoos to need touchups! We offer free touchups within the first 6 months after the original tattoo date.
Will it hurt?
It won't feel GREAT, but it's never as bad as you anticipate it will be! I do a lot of people's first tattoos, and I always check in after the first little line, and the most common thing they say when I ask if they're okay is "That's it?!"
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I will 100% go at your pace, and if you need to take breaks, I'm happy to take them with you!
Artist FAQ
How long have you been tattooing and what are your training and qualifications?
My dad was a high school art teacher, so I've been drawing since before I could talk. In high school I completed several Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate art programs. I hold undergrad degrees in Fine Art and Psychology, with 4 years of college arts curriculum. I also received a significant arts scholarship, and studied fine art abroad in Italy. Post-graduation, I worked for several years both as an art therapist and a high school art teacher, and nearly got a Master's degree in Art Therapy before changing life paths.
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My tattoo apprenticeship began in 2019- it was supposed to last 12 months. Due to COVID-19, it lasted 19 months. I underwent 19 months of intensive, constant training. Not only about art and design, but also about human anatomy, the tattoo industry, the science of tattooing, as well as the actual discipline of tattooing.
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I graduated to tattooing human skin in August 2020.
I have been tattooing full time as an independent artist since March of 2021.
Will you judge me if I _____?
No! My tattoo space is a judgement-free zone, as long as you respect my personal and physical boundaries.
Are you sensory friendly?
As a neurodivergent person myself, I try to be as sensory-friendly as possible. I have stress balls, and I offer silent (no talking unless necessary) appointments. However, there are other artists who tattoo in my shop, and their machines and clients can sometimes be loud, in addition to music in the shop and street noise. I do not provide ear plugs, but I can recommend them for clients who are concerned about auditory sensory overload!
Do you barter/trade for tattoos?
I am not able to barter or trade for tattoos, as I am a commission-based artist.
Can I bring guests, children or pets with me?
Legally, we are not able to allow children or animals in the tattooing area, due to health code restrictions.
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I do allow and encourage clients to bring a guest for moral support! But please understand I have limited space and cannot accommodate more than 1-2 extra people in my station.
Do you have a portfolio?
You can see my work on my Instagram page- @juliaragalietattoos
Will you tattoo with cremains?
Yes, I am happy to handle ashes with care and carefully, safely mix them into the ink we use for your tattoo.